Division 2 Region A: Depth, Huge Comeback Save Day For New Kent

Trojans Overcome 18-point Kw Lead

November 21, 1999|By NORM WOOD Daily Press

NEW KENT — The luxury of having fresh bodies on both sides of the ball was on display in New Kent's thrilling 28-25 come-from-behind victory over King William on Saturday in the Group A Division 2 Region A football championship game.

It was a level of comfort the Trojans (12-0) utilized in the fourth quarter to put the finishing touch on an 18-point second-half comeback. While the Cavaliers (9-3) were doubled-over with their hands on their knees, the Trojans gained momentum and looked fresh enough to play another quarter or two.

Senior running back Thomas Creed capped off the rally on a 5-yard touchdown run with 2:31 remaining in the fourth, giving New Kent its first lead since 7-0 in the first quarter. Just one play earlier, Creed had levied a huge block to spring senior James Jones for an 8-yard gain to the 5. Jones led the Trojans' offense with 14 carries for 115 yards, and four catches for 32 yards and a touchdown.

At halftime, New Kent's chances for a win seemed to be flickering. King William had countered New Kent's first touchdown with a 73-yard touchdown return by senior Kenny Mickens on the ensuing kickoff. The Cavaliers went on to take a 19-7 advantage heading into the half.

"We just challenged them to play a little bit harder," New Kent coach Fred Birchette said. "We knew that we had made some blunders, but we weren't out of the game."

The situation got a little bleaker in the third quarter for the Trojans before it got better. Senior running back John Henley, who gained 103 yards on 24 carries, scored his second touchdown of the game with 10:05 remaining in the third for a 25-7 lead. But it was the last salvo King William's offense would blast.

New Kent came back on its next possession to score on a 15-yard pass from senior quarterback Corey Patterson to Jones and a two-point conversion run by Patterson. That brought the Trojans within 25-15.

Junior linebacker Anthony Brandon picked off a pass by senior quarterback Brad Kirby on King William's next drive to put the Trojans at the Cavaliers' 6. Two plays later, Corey Patterson ran in from the 1 to slice the lead to 25-21.

"They beat us at the line of scrimmage in the second half," King William coach Roger Brookes said. "We did some things they weren't ready for, but I just think their depth was too much for us. We had some good breaks on the kicking game, but we had some bad breaks with the tipped passes and everything."

New Kent is now headed to the Division 2 state semifinals for the third consecutive season. The Trojans will take on Madison County - the only team to beat them last year - next Saturday at New Kent High.

"The third time's a charm," Jones said. "We're going to win it this time. The team didn't panic today when we got down. We knew we could stop them even though they got a couple of big plays early."

Norm Wood can be reached at 247-4642 or by e-mail at nwood@dailypress.com

NEW KENT 28, KING WILLIAM 25

King William13660-25

New Kent70147-28

NK-Hollis 69 run (Vaden kick)

KW-Mickens 85 kickoff return (kick failed)

KW-Washington 13 pass from Kirby (Washington kick)

KW-J. Henley 1 run (kick failed)

KW-J. Henley 5 run (pass failed)

NK-J. Jones 15 pass from Co. Patterson (Co. Patterson run)

NK-Co. Patterson 1 run (run failed)

NK-T. Creed 5 run (J. Vaden kick)

First downs616

Rushes-yards29-9842-267

Passing yards7249

Comp-Att-Int2-9-28-20-0

Punts-avg.3-44.02-36.0

Fumbles-lost1-01-0

Penalties-yards8-708-59

Player of the Game: Brad Austin, New Kent, Sr., RB/LB-Led defense that held King William to 170 total yards, including 98 yards rushing; ran five times for 16 yards; named game's Most Valuable Player.